Today’s Verse – Romans 12:9
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. —Romans 12:9 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Special Note: Remember that this year, we are letting our verse reference be determined by the date. So on December 9, the twelfth month and ninth day, we have been led to Romans 12:9 as our verse for this day, and it’s a short but powerful and call to live for Jesus! Our love cannot be feigned, faked, or fickle! That means that we abhor evil. We not only stay away from it but disdain it. At the same time, we commit ourselves to lovingly drawing closer to goodness and righteousness. There are no shades of gray in our intentions or motivations, only a passionate desire for what is right, good, and holy. We cling to what is good! My Prayer… Holy and Righteous Father, I know you declared me righteous and holy because of Jesus’ sacrifice and my faith in him. Now, I ask that you help me live up to what you have declared me to be by your grace. Through your indwelling Holy Spirit’s power, please fill me with your love and drive out anything unclean, evil, or rancid that dwells in my heart. I want my love to be sincere. I want to cling to what is good. I want to cast off all that is evil so I can bring you joy! In Jesus’ name, I thank you. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Glory!
Note from Jesus Dear Child of God, Glory? Glorious? “Gloria in Excelsis Deo”? It was not too glorious if you look at the place where My birth happened! I was placed in a feed trough and wrapped in strips of cloth. By most measures, My birth was less than ordinary… it was something only the poor and outcast would have experienced. Most would have missed the glory of the moment when I entered the world in the same way you did — pushed into the harsh reality of life through the birth canal. Being born in “less than royal” conditions, you might easily mistake My identity. I looked like any ordinary baby. But I had left the glory of heaven to accept the simple comforts of the manger and the loving arms of My mother, Mary, and My stepfather, Joseph. I came from the glory of God that shone long before the world began, yet I accepted the simplicity of the stable to connect with you. I wanted you to know that no matter where you are in society’s pecking order — the high thread-count sheets of the rich and famous or the simple strips of cloth of the poor — I came for you. I wanted you to know that you are welcome in My Father’s house even though I wasn’t completely welcomed into the world I had made. Glory? Glorious? “Gloria in Excelsis Deo”? Absolutely! Hear the angels. Watch the shepherds. Come to My manger and know you are gloriously loved. Verses to Live The glory that shone forth to those looking for it at my birth was a glory that I had before the world began and the glory that I came to share with you! Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others — the armies of heaven — praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (Luke 2:13-14 NLT) [Jesus praying:] Now, Father, bring Me into the glory We shared before the world began. (John 17:5 NLT) So I ask you to redefine your concept of glory by what I did — don’t cling to fleeting earthly glory, but walk beside and bend down to help those who need you to share My glory! In other words, adopt the mind-set of Jesus the Anointed. Live with His attitude in your hearts. Remember: Though He was in the form of God, He chose not to cling to equality with God; But He poured Himself out to fill a vessel brand new; a servant in form and a man indeed. The very likeness of humanity, He humbled Himself, obedient to death — a merciless death on the cross! So God raised Him up to the highest place and gave Him the name above all. So when His name is called, every knee will bow, in heaven, on earth, and below. And every tongue will confess “Jesus, the Anointed One, is Lord,” to the glory of God our Father. (Philippians 2:5-11) Response in Prayer Almighty God, Who became human flesh and came to us in Jesus, how can I thank You for Your indescribable gift? You are glorious, yet left heaven’s glory. You are eternal, yet clothed yourself with mortality. You are all powerful, yet became vulnerable. You came to us as a baby placed in a manger to share our humanity so we can share Your glory. Open my heart to receive Your incredible gift of grace during this special time of year. Even more, help me see Your glory in the simplest things around me where You are at work. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2024, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today’s Verse – Luke 12:8
I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. —Luke 12:8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What a simple way to inherit a blessing: we confess Jesus before people, and Jesus acknowledges us before the angels of God! We must not fall into the trap that caused Peter to stumble during the night of Jesus’ arrest — being strong when in the presence of friends and weak in the presence of those who are hostile. Let’s be ready to share our faith with friends with “gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). Let’s be willing to be openly identified as one who knows Jesus and shows it by our words and deeds (Acts 4:13). Let’s confess that Jesus is our LORD by our lives and our lips for all the world to see. My Prayer… Dear God, give me the courage to confidently acknowledge Jesus as LORD before my enemies, adversaries, and critics, just as I do before my friends, co-workers, and colleagues. May my faith in the LORD Jesus be boldly lived before others as I respectfully share my confidence in Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Be Astonishing
Note from Jesus Dear Child of God, If you were a shepherd in the time when I was born, you would never have expected anyone to be astonished at anything you could ever say or do. You would have been “just” a lowly and despised shepherd. Most shepherds (like those who celebrated my birth) were quite young and most often ignored. Like all good shepherds, they smelled like sheep — they were not the kind of folks you invite into your house for a long conversation or a dinner party. Shepherds, in general, were not considered intellectually astute. Most people felt that shepherds would have little to say that was important. Then came My birth. Look at what God made of these shepherds. They were the first to share the good news of My birth. They were the first “missionaries” sent to tell the story of God coming down to live with people. These shepherds were told this good news by angels sent from the glory of heaven. People were astonished. They were astonished that God would use shepherds. They were astonished at what the shepherds told them about the angels. They were astonished at the story the shepherds told about Who I was and where I was born. Look at what the Father made of these shepherds. They were the first to know and to proclaim the astonishing good news of God coming to the world as a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and placed in a feed trough — the glory of the newborn King of the Jews, the Messiah of Israel, and the Savior of the world. And what about you? Are you astonishing? If you listen closely to the passages below, you will see that I have done something just as astonishing with you as I did with the shepherds. Because of Me, you are now “holy, blameless, and totally free of imperfection.” Just like the shepherds, you have been given the opportunity to be astonishing! Verses to Live Simple shepherds share the astonishing news! After seeing him [baby Jesus], the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished… (Luke 2:17-18 NLT) In the flesh, I bring you astonishing identity! He [Jesus] is the exact image of the invisible God, the firstborn of creation, the eternal. It was by Him that everything was created: the heavens, the earth, all things within and upon them, all things seen and unseen, thrones and dominions, spiritual powers and authorities. Every detail was crafted through His design, by His own hands, and for His purposes. He has always been! It is His hand that holds everything together. He is the head of this body, the church. He is the beginning, the first of those to be reborn from the dead, so that in every aspect, at every view, in everything — He is first. God was pleased that all His fullness should forever dwell in the Son Who, as predetermined by God, bled peace into the world by His death on the cross as God’s means of reconciling to Himself the whole creation — all things in heaven and all things on earth. You were once at odds with God, wicked in your ways and evil in your minds; but now He has reconciled you in His body — in His flesh through His death — so that He can present you to God holy, blameless, and totally free of imperfection as long as you stay planted in the faith. So don’t venture away from what you have heard and taken to heart: the living hope of the good news that has been announced to all creation under heaven and has captured me, Paul, as its servant. (Colossians 1:15-23) Response in Prayer O Father, I place my faith in Jesus and what He did by becoming flesh and shedding His blood to make me Yours. This grace, this story, and this Jesus have captured my heart, and I offer all that I am to You, O God, in the name of Jesus and because of Your grace. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2024, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today’s Verse – Proverbs 12:7
Wicked men are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm. —Proverbs 12:7 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The principle of this proverb is true in every culture. An evil leader who has made his way to the top by murder, deceit, and violence ends up being murdered by one even more evil. Ruin comes to those who have brought ruination on others. This principle will be fully realized when Jesus comes and judges all people justly and with nothing hidden. Then, God’s righteousness will shine like the sun. Jesus and those who belong to him will reign with him in his heavenly glory — a glory which will not spoil, perish, or fade. Justice will triumph along with mercy, love, and life without death. All who are God’s people who have been oppressed, abused, and martyred will find their way into the city God has prepared for those who love him. All wickedness will be overthrown, and those who have been made righteous in Jesus will live forever in the glorious presence of their LORD! My Prayer… Dear Father in heaven, we pray that your Kingdom comes with power in our world soon. We pray that your will is done here on earth just as in heaven. Bring down the arrogant and violent. Overthrow the wicked and murderous. Let those you have made righteous in Jesus stand in your glorious presence and grace as the LORD Jesus reigns over all his foes and brings your beloved children home to you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
God’s Greatest Message
Note from Jesus Dear Friend, Ouch! You sent a text to someone, and he or she didn’t understand your humor. You left a voicemail that was supposed to be cute, but your words hurt the feelings of a good friend. You sent an email before you proofed it and left out a word or two and left some stuff in you wish you’d never said, and these things crushed the spirit of someone you love. It’s very easy to misunderstand simple words on a page, in a text, or in an email. There’s no body language, you can’t hear the inflection or tone of the voice, you can’t get a sense of the pace at which the words were said, and you don’t get a feel for the heart of the person from just reading the words. These messages can feel like isolated bits of data rather than words spoken from the heart of someone who cares deeply for you. Your experiences with being misunderstood give you a glimpse of some of the Father’s challenges in communicating with you. Words written on a page, no matter how inspired, are not enough to reveal the full heart of the Father. So to bridge the distance between you and your Father in heaven, the Almighty God entered human flesh in Me, Jesus of Nazareth, to give you His greatest and clearest message (Hebrews 1:1-3). Yes, you heard Me correctly. God’s greatest message was not the Bible or even the words of the prophets (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21). As important as these are, you must know that they all point to Me as the source of life (John 5:39-40). I came as My Father’s greatest, fullest, and clearest message… for you! As you look at Me — what I did, what I said, and why I did it all — I hope you can understand the heart of the Father. I hope you realize how much We — Father, Son, and Spirit — love you! That’s why My story is called the gospel — the good news from the Father, sent to people He loves, in a person Who is both fully God and fully human. I AM the Message, the Voice, and the Word of God. Verses to Live Notice how the angels announced the good news of My birth to the shepherds. I came as the Father’s greatest message, wrapped in a blanket and placed in a feeding trough! Today, in the city of David, a Liberator has been born for you! He is the promised Anointed One, the Supreme Authority! You will know you have found Him when you see a baby, wrapped in a blanket, lying in a feeding trough. (Luke 2:11-12) I came, God in human flesh, to be heaven’s Voice for you to hear and heaven’s presence to see, the ultimate expression of the Father’s heart! The Voice [Jesus, the Word] took on flesh and became human and chose to live alongside us. We have seen Him, enveloped in undeniable splendor — the one true Son of the Father — evidenced in the perfect balance of grace and truth. John the Baptist testified about Him and shouted, “This is the one I’ve been telling you is coming. He is much greater than I am because He existed long before me.” Through this man we all receive gifts of grace beyond our imagination. You see, Moses gave us rules to live by, but Jesus the Anointed offered us gifts of grace and truth. God, unseen until now, is revealed in the Voice, God’s only Son, straight from the Father’s heart. (John 1:14-18) Response in Prayer Father in heaven, I have mangled my words in emails and texts so many times that it is embarrassing. So as much as I love that You spoke to us through the words of the Bible, I am even more thankful that You came and spoke to us in human skin — One with us and One of us — so we could not only hear Your words but also see Your heart. Thank You, Jesus, for coming so we can pray with confidence, in Your name, with Your authority. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2024, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today’s Verse – Matthew 12:6
I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. —Matthew 12:6 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What is the most outstanding construction project built by human hands? Jesus is more remarkable still! What is the most holy place you have been? Jesus is far holier still! What is the most awe-inspiring site you have visited? Jesus is far more astonishing and holy! What is the most spiritually nourishing event you have ever attended? Jesus is far more nourishing and enriching and blessing! Jesus is the One Who Is Greater! Nothing else, no one else, can hold a candle to him. As John the Baptizer reminded us, the greatest religious leaders of all time are not even worthy to stoop down and unlatch Jesus’ sandals. Jesus is greater than! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Thank you, God, for revealing to me the Way, the Truth, and the Life through Jesus. Forgive me for the times I may have misused his name or underestimated his glory. Restore in me the child-like sense of joyous wonder that I need to have in his presence. In the holy and awesome and gracious name of Jesus, I live and I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Pitching My Tent
Note from Jesus Dear Disciple, I love the way My beloved disciple you know as John describes My coming to earth: “The Voice took on flesh and became human and chose to live alongside us” (John 1:14). Quite literally, his words could be translated as saying that I “pitched My tent” among you. As God, I didn’t just come close; I moved into your neighborhood as one of you. So during the rush of your Christmas season, I hope you will join Me — “the one true Son of the Father” — at the manger, experience the wonder of the shepherds, and share My story with all who will listen. Verses to Live The powerful truth of My coming is this: the Father’s voice became “the Voice,” Me. I came as the full incarnation of the message, the Father’s ultimate Word (Hebrews 1:1-3) given to you, yet fully human flesh as one of you! As soon as the heavenly messengers disappeared into heaven, the shepherds were buzzing with conversation. Shepherds: Let’s rush down to Bethlehem right now! Let’s see what’s happening! Let’s experience what the Lord has told us about! So they ran into town, and eventually they found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in the feeding trough. After they saw the baby, they spread the story of what they had experienced and what had been said to them about this child. Everyone who heard their story couldn’t stop thinking about its meaning. (Luke 2:15-18) The true Light, Who shines upon the heart of everyone, was coming into the cosmos. He entered our world, a world He made; yet the world did not recognize Him. Even though He came to His own people, they refused to listen and receive Him. But for all who did receive and trust in Him, He gave them the right to be reborn as children of God; He bestowed this birthright not by human power or initiative but by God’s will. The Voice took on flesh and became human and chose to live alongside us. We have seen Him, enveloped in undeniable splendor — the one true Son of the Father — evidenced in the perfect balance of grace and truth. (John 1:9-14) Response in Prayer Holy God, I cannot begin to understand the incarnation — You in human flesh in Jesus, placed in a manger, wrapped in strips of cloth, and welcomed by shepherds. It doesn’t fit in my head. But, dear God, Your incarnation in Jesus touches my heart. Your love fills me with wonder knowing that You would “pitch your tent” among us to live as one of us. So I praise You for making such a bold move to make me Your child. I commit to following the shepherds’ example and share Jesus’ birth with all who will listen. It is in the name of Jesus, the Son of God, that I pray. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2024, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today’s Verse – Hebrews 12:5
And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” —Hebrews 12:5 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… When I was young, I always acted as if I hated discipline. It was part of the game. Most of the time, I didn’t want the discipline. Sometimes, however, I “acted out” to get my parent’s attention. Discipline was their way of getting mine! Now that I am older, I am so thankful that my parents loved me enough to discipline me firmly, to guide me lovingly, and to encourage me repeatedly. Their discipline and training have given me so many blessings and helped me understand what God is doing in my life. I need to recognize and appreciate the LORD’s discipline in my life for similar reasons! The lack of love is not hate but indifference. The opposite of concern is an unwillingness to discipline. Thank God he loves and knows us enough to be involved in our lives and discipline us toward Jesus and heaven. My Prayer… Father in heaven, please help me recognize your discipline and correction in my life as part of your love, mercy, and grace. I want to live for you with an undivided heart, pleasing you in word, thought, and deed. I confess, however, that sometimes my heart is rebellious or my resolve can be weak. Thank you for helping me recognize my loss of spiritual direction through your loving discipline and guiding me back to your love, grace, and forgiveness.. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Not Forgotten in the Bigger Story
Note from Jesus Dear Precious One, The heart of our Father was beautifully revealed through the prophet Isaiah: For this is what the high and exalted One says — He Who lives forever, Whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” (Isaiah 57:15 NIV) I know there may come times when you don’t feel like your prayers are heard, or you may think that God is taking too long to answer you or that your prayers don’t matter because you are not an important enough person to be heard by the King of Glory. However, if you will lean into the story of My birth, you will see that good, righteous, and faithful people are not forgotten whether they are poor or rich, desperate or confident, disappointed or delighted, old or young. Look at the story of My birth and notice that the key players in the Father’s great drama of grace are all kinds of people — some of whom are folks just like you! If you read even more closely, you will see the joy, laughter, and surprise that God brought these people in His grace! Verses to Live Notice those whom the Father includes in My story… and these are just a few of the precious people caught up in My story of grace! Zacharias and Elizabeth, an old and deeply pious couple who could not have children, are caught up in the drama of grace! One day Zacharias was chosen to perform his priestly duties in God’s presence, according to the temple’s normal schedule and routine. He had been selected from all the priests by the customary procedure of casting lots for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enter the sacred precincts of the temple. There he burned sweet incense, while outside a large crowd of people prayed. Suddenly Zacharias realized he was not alone: a messenger of the Lord was there with him. The messenger stood just to the right of the altar of incense. Zacharias was shocked and afraid, but the messenger reassured him. Messenger [an angel from God]: Zacharias, calm down! Don’t be afraid! Zacharias, your prayers have been heard. Your wife is going to have a son, and you will name him John. He will bring you great joy and happiness — and many will share your joy at John’s birth. (Luke 1:8-14). Meanwhile the crowd at the temple wondered why Zacharias hadn’t come out of the sanctuary yet. It wasn’t normal for the priest to be delayed so long. When at last he came out, he was making signs with his hands to give the blessing, but he couldn’t speak. They realized he had seen some sort of vision. When his time on duty at the temple came to an end, he went back home to his wife. Shortly after his return, Elizabeth became pregnant. She avoided public contact for the next five months. Elizabeth: I have lived with the disgrace of being barren for all these years. Now God has looked on me with favor. When I go out in public with my baby, I will not be disgraced any longer. (Luke 1:21-25) While many of Israel’s greatest early leaders were shepherds — folks like Abraham, Moses, and King David — when it was time for My birth into the world, shepherds had fallen out of favor. But the Father had not forgotten them! Nearby, in the fields outside of Bethlehem, a group of shepherds were guarding their flocks from predators in the darkness of night. Suddenly a messenger of the Lord stood in front of them, and the darkness was replaced by a glorious light — the shining light of God’s glory. They were terrified! Messenger [an angel from God]: Don’t be afraid! Listen! I bring good news, news of great joy, news that will affect all people everywhere. Today, in the city of David, a Liberator has been born for you! He is the promised Anointed One, the Supreme Authority! You will know you have found Him when you see a baby, wrapped in a blanket, lying in a feeding trough. At that moment, the first heavenly messenger was joined by thousands of other messengers — a vast heavenly choir. They praised God. (Luke 2:8-13) Response in Prayer O Father in heaven, thank You for catching up all sorts of ordinary people in the story of Jesus’ birth. What I love, dear Father, is that where there was disgrace, sadness, and an unceasing sameness, You brought joy, delight, surprise, celebration, and wonder. What a powerful way to remind me that You came to bring hope for each of us, even me! In Jesus’ name. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2024, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.